The pandemic undoubtedly has altered everyone’s lives in some shape or form. The country as a whole has undergone substantial changes over the course of the last two years. Everyone from the government to individual citizens have had to make difficult decisions on what to prioritize. Many United States citizens have decided to change jobs, travel more, and in some instances move their lives completely to new states. Texas has been one of the most desirable states for movers as they boast a relatively low cost of living, an attractive job market, and several entertaining cities like Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
At the government level, policies were put in place to limit immigration with the stated goal of attempting to curb the spread of the coronavirus while also ensuring American citizens would have their jobs protected.
The combination of these factors (and others), has contributed to labor shortages across the country, specifically in states where there has been an influx of new residents as business struggle to keep up with demand across several industries. The US Chamber states that there are almost 10 million open positions in the country but only about 6 million citizens open to work. Simply put, there are not enough Americans to work open jobs and it is limiting the economic growth of the country.
This has led to an increase in demand for immigrant workers in certain industries and states. The EB-3 immigrant visa is one of the most common immigrant visas used by employers to fill these open positions. The process of hiring an immigrant worker through the EB-3 visa can be done in three steps.
Process of Hiring Foreign Workers in Texas
PERM Filing
The first step is to file a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The petition must be accompanied by a labor certification application from the Department of Labor (DOL). The DOL will then review the application to ensure that there are no qualified US workers able to fill the position.
I-140 Immigrant Petition
The second step is the I-140 immigrant visa petition. This is filed with the USCIS and must be accompanied by the approved PERM labor certification application.
Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing
The third and final step is to file for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status. This is done once the I-140 immigrant visa petition has been approved and a visa number is available. The immigrant worker will then need to have a medical examination and submit various documents, including a passport, birth certificate, and police clearance.
Costs and Timelines
It’s important to note that this process can vary slightly depending on the immigrant worker’s country of origin. For example, workers from India may have a longer wait time for a visa number as there are more applicants from India than any other country. Conversely, the time to complete the process can be expedited in other countries like Brazil, the Phillipines, and others depending on a range of factors. Fortunately our team has worked on several cases ranging across many countries and will help you handle the nuances that each country presents.
Hiring an immigrant worker through the EB-3 visa can be a lengthy process, but it is one that can be beneficial for both the employer and employee. Employers are able to fill critical positions that they otherwise would not be able to and employees are able to gain long-term employment in the United States. If you are an employer interested in hiring immigrant workers
In all, the entire process takes anywhere from 12 to 18 months and employer fees are typically around $1,000 in total.
Popular Positions for EB3 Category Workers in Texas:
The EB3 immigrant visa is available to workers in a wide range of occupations, including:
-Skilled Workers: positions that require at least two years of training or experience
-Professionals: positions that require a bachelor’s degree
-Unskilled Workers: positions that do not require any specific training or experience
Some examples of positions that can be filled by immigrant workers through the EB3 visa include:
-Construction workers
-Cooks
-Housekeepers
-Landscapers
-Waiters/Waitresses
-Delivery
-Gas Station Clerks
If you are an employer in Texas interested in hiring immigrant workers through the EB3 visa, our team can help you navigate the process. We have extensive experience with the EB3 visa and can help ensure that your application is filed correctly and efficiently.
Benefits of Hiring EB3 Workers in Texas
Not only can EB3 category workers be a viable solution to your immediate staffing needs, but they are generally long-term assets to businesses. On average EB3 workers are less likely to change jobs as it is more complicated to find other opportunties for immigrants than it is for US born citizens. And, immigrant workers are often more loyal to the company that hires them as they have gone through a great deal of effort to be able to work in the United States.
Hiring immigrant workers through the EB3 visa can be a lengthy process, but it is one that can be beneficial for both the employer and employee. Employers are able to fill critical positions that they otherwise would not be able to and employees are able to gain long-term employment in the United States.